50 Simple English Phrases

Long time no see.

• It’s been a while since we last met.
  • Hey Rahul! It’s been quite some time. How have you been?

Don’t take it to heart.

• Please don’t be offended.
  • Priyanka, you’re my friend, but I really don’t like those cookies. Please don’t take it to heart.

Did I get you right?

• Am I understanding you correctly?
  • I need to submit these files to the income tax office, did I get you right?

It serves you right.

• You brought this upon yourself.
  • Losing her job was the consequence of her actions; it serves her right.

What have you been up to?

• What have you been doing?
  • Hey Ravi, it’s been three months since we last met. What have you been up to?

You Rock!

• You’re amazing!
  • Prity, you rock in that red dress!

It’s not worth it.

• It’s not worth the effort.
  • Forget him, it’s not worth it.

Text me.

• Send me a message.
  • Text me once your performance is over in the evening, okay?

There is no room for doubt.

• There’s no doubt about it.
  • They are completely made for each other; there’s no room for doubt.

How are you holding up?

• How are you doing?
  • If I am asking you how are you holding up, all I want to ask is how are you doing?

Break a leg.

• Good luck!
  • Break a leg, you’re gonna do well.

Beat the dead horse.

• Stop wasting energy on a lost cause.
  • Stop beating the dead horse; she’s not going to listen to you.

Eat like a horse.

• She eats a lot.
  • If she comes to the party, I am going to order extra food; she eats like a horse.

Hold your horses.

• Wait a moment; don’t rush.
  • Hold your horses, don’t rush to explain that to me again.

From time to time.

• Sometimes, not very often.
  • Her daughter visited there from time to time.

Piece of cake.

• Very easy.
  • Clearing that exam was a piece of cake for me.

Takes two to tango.

• It takes two or more persons to be involved in a situation.
  • Divorce is rarely the fault of one person; it takes two to tango.

Stabbed in the back.

• Betrayed your trust.
  • I am never going to trust her again; she stabbed me in the back.

This is a no-brainer.

• It’s very easy; no need to think too much about it.
  • This question is a no-brainer; I’ll solve it in two minutes.

I screwed up.

• It’s my mistake.
  • He offered me coffee, I said no, I screwed up.

Can you cover for me?

• Can you hide the evidence against my wrongdoing?
  • I told her the password, and the information is out. Can you please cover for me?

I’d better be going.

• I should leave.
  • I’m really late; she is waiting for me. I’d better be going.

Come again.

• Repeat that again, please.
  • Come again; I didn’t catch that.

Nevermind.

• Don’t worry; I will take care of it myself.
  • It’s okay; I will ask somebody else. Nevermind.

How does that sound?

• What do you think of that idea?
  • I am planning a vacation to America. How does that sound?

That sounds great!

• I love that idea!
  • That sounds great! Let’s do it.

What do you think?

• What is your opinion?
  • What do you think? Should I hire him for the post?

I’ll be with you in a moment.

• I’ll join you shortly.
  • Give me a moment, and I’ll be with you.

Could you repeat that, please?

• Can you say that again?
  • Could you repeat that, please?

Couldn’t care less.

• I don’t care at all.
  • Whatever the teacher says about my parents, I couldn’t care less.

You sold me.

• You convinced me.
  • With those amazing pictures, you completely sold me on the idea of spending a vacation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Step up your game.

• Work harder; improve your performance.
  • You need to step up your game to achieve your goal.

Pull yourself together.

• Control your emotions.
  • Pull yourself together; it’s time to move on after the breakup.

That’s lit.

• That’s amazing.
  • The concert was lit; everyone had a great time.

Keep up the good work.

• Continue doing well.
  • Keep up the good work, Neha; management loves your ideas.

Come on! You can do it.

• You’re capable; you can succeed.
  • You can start your YouTube channel; come on! You can do it.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

• I can’t believe what you just said.
  • You know, with a score of 56 out of 100, she topped the class. You’ve got to be kidding me.

Lucky you.

• You’re fortunate.
  • Lucky you, marrying the hottest girl in the batch.

Can’t complain.

• I’m content with how things are going.
  • How are things going in business? Can’t complain.

That’s a good one.

• That’s a clever idea.
  • I looked at your dress hanging in the showcase of your shop, and I must say, that’s a good one.

Freaked out.

• Became upset or confused suddenly.
  • She freaked out when she saw him at the station.

Cheer up.

• Smile and forget about your worries.
  • Cheer up; getting 60% marks is not bad for this exam.

Fingers crossed.

• Wishing for good luck.
  • I hope India wins the World Cup this time; I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Didn’t catch your name.

• Polite way of asking for someone’s name again.
  • Sorry, I didn’t catch your name. Could you please repeat that for me?

Things happen.

• Don’t be upset; it’s a part of life.
  • Please don’t be upset about your breakup; things happen.

Thank you anyway.

• Expressing gratitude even if the help wasn’t provided.
  • It’s okay; you couldn’t do what I asked, but thank you anyway.

Thank you in advance.

• Thanking someone before they provide assistance.
  • Hey bro, thank you in advance for your help and suggestions.

Sorry to bother you.

• Apologizing for interrupting or asking for help.
  • Sorry to bother you; could you please check my details entered into the computer?

Good for you.

• Congratulating someone for their good fortune.
  • You got the subject of your choice, good for you.

That explains it.

• Understanding something better due to new information.
  • I just found out she got promoted to the Managing position, which explains her happiness throughout the day.